Kennedy Ryan on 'Score,' Perimenopause Memes, and Protecting Her Peace

Think running into your ex at the grocery store is bad? Imagine being hired for the same career-defining film. That’s the nightmare at the heart of Kennedy Ryan’s Score.

The novel follows award-winning screenwriter Verity Hill and composer Wright “Monk” Bellamy, who met at a Georgia HBCU, fell hard, then split disastrously. More than a decade later, they’re reunited to work on a biopic about a fictional Harlem Renaissance jazz legend — and while the Oscar buzz is palpable, the chemistry between Verity and Monk is even harder to ignore.

To move forward, they both must reckon with the past: Can Verity tell Monk the truth about their breakup? And can she forgive herself for what happened? Expect a nuanced portrayal of mental health, a richly rendered historical backdrop, and a second-chance romance that’s been called “a triumph.” We asked Ryan a few questions. Here’s what she had to say…

Q: What’s the last thing you read that you can’t stop thinking about? 

Ryan: Oleander by Scarlett Drake.

Q: What’s one unpopular opinion you have?

Ryan: Living Single was better than Friends.

Q: What’s the last social media post you sent to your friends? 

Ryan: Definitely something about perimenopause.

Q: If you were stranded on a desert island and could only eat one thing, what would it be?

Ryan: An NYC pizza slice, with pepperoni and mushroom.

Q: What’s one thing everyone needs to watch? 

Ryan: The Wire.

Q: What’s the one place everyone needs to visit?

Ryan: The National Museum of African American History and Culture in DC.

Q: What’s one thing you’re an armchair expert on? 

Ryan: Heated Rivalry LOL.

Q: What's your favorite unapologetic indulgence? 

Ryan: Diet Coke.

Q: What is your most prized possession? 

Ryan: My peace — and I protect it at all costs.

PS: To learn what relatable thing Ryan is an armchair expert on, read our extended author interview here.

Meanwhile, on the internet…

• Saratoga Springs, who? The internet has a new favorite water — and once you see it, you’ll spot it everywhere (we would know).

• In case you needed more proof that the Multitasking Industrial Complex has gotten out of hand, check out what people are now doing on the StairMaster. It makes watching TV look quaint.

Labubus, you had your moment. But another trendy toy has entered the chat — and it’s causing chaos at stores nationwide.